Apparatus for manufacturing filter mouthpiece cigarettes



Jan. 28, 1958 K. KORBER 2,321,200

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING FILTER MOUTHPIECE CIGARETTES Original Filed Feb. 5, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 1 M iJIVVENTORI WWW] Jan. 28, 1958 K. KORBER 2,821,200

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING FILTER MOUTHPIECE CIGARETTES I Original Filed Feb. 5, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Hlllll llllll IIIIII Jan. 28, 1958 K. KCRBER 2,821,200

APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING FILTER MOUTHPIECE CIGARETTES Original Filed Feb. 5, 1954 3 Shets-Sheet 3 I VENTOR! Mai,

Uited States Patent APPARATUS FOR MANUFACTURING FILTER MOUTHPIECE CIGARETTES Kurt Kiirber, Hamburg-Bergedorf, Germany Original application February 5, 1954, Serial No. 408,526,

now Patent No. 2,740,409, dated April 3, 1956. Divided and this application September 22, 1955, Serial No. 535,974

Claims priority, application Germany February 24, 1953 Claims. (Cl. 131-94) The invention relates to the manufacture of cigarettes and particularly is directed to an apparatus for manufacturing cigarettes and the like, provided with mouthpiece portions consisting, for instance, of filter bodies, hollow mouthpieces or the like, by employing uniting bands which unite a mouthpiece portion with the cigarette body.

The present invention is a division of my pending United States patent application Serial No. 408,526, filed on February 5, 1954, issued as United States Patent 2,740,409, April 3, 1956.

A very important object of the invention is to provide cigarettes with a mouthpiece or tip composed of more than one filter body by means of a very efficient apparatus which is simple and permits the economical production of filter tip cigarettes.

It is another object of the present invention to unite the filter bodies with a length of cigarette rod by means of a plurality of successively arranged devices, all of which perform substantially the same operations in that after the attachment of one filter body, the following filter bodies are connected to previously produced composite cigarette rod and filter portions in substantially the same manner by an additional uniting band which covers not only the last attached filter body, but also the preceding one, in order to produce composite cigarettes having mouthpieces secured in a very efifective manner to the tobacco rod.

The drawing illustrates diagrammatically the method of the invention in connection with an apparatus.

Fig. 1 illustrates a side elevation view of the apparatus with certain parts shown in section.

Fig. 2 is a top view of the apparatus in which the rotary drums for wrapping the uniting bands around the assemblages of cigarette rods and mouthpiece portions are illustrated for the sake of clearness in dotted lines, while the magazines which feed the mouthpieces or filter bodies into the apparatus have been omitted. For the sake of clearness, the uniting bands and the mouthpieces, such as filter bodies, have been shown in sections.

Fig. 3 illustrates in side elevation view and partly in section a conveying device which may be arranged between each two rotary drums of the apparatus.

Fig. 3a illustrates diagrammatically a modification of the conveying device which may be used in place of the one shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4 illustrates a top view of the conveyor device as shown in Fig. 3.

Figs. 5 to illustrate each diagrammatically filter mouthpiece cigarettes during different stages of their manufacture, and

Fig. 11 illustrates a filter mouthpiece cigarette provided with only one filter body.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the two cigarette holding magazines 1a and 2a are arranged parallel to each other, but are laterally spaced from each other. The cigarettes are deposited one pair at a time by these magazines at A into the axially extending grooves of a rotary suction drum 3 in such a manner that the two cigarettes 1 and 2 of each pair in each groove are axially spaced from each other a pre-determined distance. The dnum 35 rotates in the direction of the arrow 3. During the continued rotation of the drum 3, and when the cigarettes within the grooves thereof reach the point B, a filter body 4 is deposited between the axially aligned cigarettes 1 and 2. This filter mouthpiece 4 has a length twice that of the filter body portion in the finished cigarette. The filter bodies 4 are supplied by a single magazine 4A which discharges the filter bodies one at a time.

From the point B, the assemblage, consisting of two axially aligned cigarettes 1 and 2 and a filter body 4 therebetween, of the mentioned double length, is moved past guide plates 5, which are arranged at the outer ends of the assemblage in such a manner that the cigarettes 1 and 2 are axially pushed toward each other into engagement with both ends of the filter body 4. This axially compacted assemblage is moved then past the point C, at which point C the assemblage is provided with a uniting band 6, which is attached to the portion of the circumference of the assemblage projecting from the groove of the rotary drum 3. The band 6 is supplied by spool 60: from which a continuous band 61: is unwound which is cut into pieces of the desired length by a cutting device 7. The individual pieces are provided on one side with an adhesive by an adhesive applying device 8. At the point D, the assemblage with the uniting band 6 attached thereon, is transferred to a second rotary drum 9 in such a manner that the uniting band 6 at the point of transfer D is partially folded around the assemblage by being pressed into an axial groove of the rotary drum 9. The drum 9 rotates counterclockwise, and during this rotation toward a point E, there are operated a number of radially movable wrapping members arranged on the drum 9. These wrapping members are only diagrammatically illustrated because the construction of the same is not of importance as far as the present invention is concerned. For an example of a construction of these wrapping members attention is called to United States patent applica ion Schubert, Serial No. 338,360, filed February 24, 1953. At the point E, the completely wrapped cigarette assemblage is cut in two pieces by a rotary knife 10 which cuts through the center of the filter body 4 and which extends with its cutting edge into a suitable circumferential groove of the drum 9.

The cigarettes 1 and 2 are now provided each with a filter body 4a having one-half the length of the filter body 4. These cigarettes are now to be provided with a second filter body portion. For tins purpose the cigarettes 2 and 2 with the filter body portions 441 thereon are transferred to another rotary section drum 11 which is provided with axial grooves. A stationary Wedge-shaped guide member 12 separates the cigarettes axially from each other and at the point P there is inserted in the space between the adjacent ends of the cigarettes another filter body 13 supplied by a magazine 13A. These filter bodies 13 also have a length twice that of the filter body portion in the completed cigarettes. Now the drum 11 repeats the same operations which took place in connection with the drum 3 in that the cigarette assemblage l, 2, 4a and 13, positioned at F in a groove of the drum 11, is again axially pushed together by laterally arranged guide plates 14, while at the point G an adhesive-coated uniting band 15 is attached to the mentioned assemblage. This uniting band 15 is again partially wrapped around the cigarette assemblage at the point where the cigarette assemblage is transferred to a rotary drum 16 provided with radial wrapping members which complete the wrapping of the uniting band around the assemblage during the rotation of the drum 16 in a counterclockwise direction. The rotary knife 17 cuts the cigarette assemblage in two pieces by cutting through the center of the filter 3 body 13, and transfers the cut cigarettes to the next drum is which rotates in a clockwise direction.

Each cigarette 1 and 2 is ,now provided with two filter body portions {in and 13a, and .also with .two Jm iing vbandso and d5.

The e c mpos t ci a t e ar now c -hepr vid d 'iw a ir filter bo y port o wh ch {PDQ-11 .5 h ro a y suction drum '18 is employed, which has .a nurnber ot a i y extending oo es, a h o whi h is ad pted t receive two cigarettes as produced at the-point K.

Again a wedge-shaped guide member 19 separates the .two axially aligned cigarettes sothataspaceis produced between the same for theinsertionofaithird dilteribody filter bodies .2-0are supplied by a magazine 20A. Now

the operations which have taken place onthe drums 8 and '11 are repeated on the drum 18. The composite cigarettes are axially :pushed together by the guide plates 21. At the point Lis attached to the assemblage in ad- -hesive-coated uniting band '30. At 'M the cigarette assemblage with'the uniting band '30 thereon is transferred to the drum 22, which latter is again provided ,with radial wrapping members for wrappingthe uniting band entirely around the cigarette assemblage, whereupon the rotary knife'2'3 separates the assemblage again into twopartsby cutting through the center of the filter body 20.

In thisrnanner there are produced cigarettes 1 and 2 which are each provided with three filter portions 51a, 13a and 29a, and these filter portions are united with cigarette rodbodies .by.. the uniting bands .6, .15 and 30. These complete cigarettes are nowdischarged'by .a guide plate 24 onto an endless conveyor 25.

All of the drums mentioned operate upon .the cigarettes and the filter ,bodies .bysuction, to assure .asafe holding of the cigarettes and .filter bodies on the drums, .anda safe transfer of the same from one drum tothe next one. The drums are operatively connected with eachother .by gears to form a continuous gearing, which is driven by aprirne moverfor -instance,,,by an electric motor .or .the like.

The apparatus described, or only a portion .of .thesame, maybe used for producing cigarettes withonlyone-filter bodyeven when for .the purposeof convenience it may be advisable to unite one and the same filter bodyat one pointwith one or two or even more uniting bands :to the cigarette body. Such multibanded filter tipped-cigarettes have a considerable advantage. Frst ofall, uadvantage is obtained that the critical joint .between the length of the cigarette .rod and the filter body is substantially reinforced by the multiple unitinglbands,which is.of particular advantage when, for instance, cigarettes .areprovideclwith these filters so that a cigarettemay be consumed almost to its very end. Furthermore, it is also possible to produce filter-tipped cigarettes with softtobacco bodies which,

until now-gin view of the .unsecure .joint between the cigarette rod and the filter body, .or mouthpiece.-cou ld not be made successfully. Finally, :the mouthpiece itself, if made hollow, is substantially made stronger so that it cannot be pressed together very easily.

It is also another object of the invention to arrange between the rotarydrums 9 and 11 andbetween therota ry drums 16 and 1 8, respectively, .a special .conveyor device, such as is shown by way of examplein Figs. 3 :and 4.

According to Fig. 3, there is arranged an endless .conveyor 26 guided over roller shafts 27 and 28, :and Ea ranged between the two drums 9 and 11. This endless conveyor 26 is provided in its outer face with transv.ersely extending grooves 29. The grooves v 29.1'eceive axially alined cigarettes provided with filter bodies from :a guide H h Wed haped gu m m e ,1 assh wn in Fig. l, is arranged in the embodiment .of Figs. 3 anda n th form of a g id membe 2: a v th n l s ma veyor 26. In place ,of the endless conveyor 26, there may also be arranged a rotary .drumlfia, as shown by May of examplein Fig.3a. i

' or with the cigarette 42nd,

In the foregoing, the method of the invention has been "described in connection with *an apparatus which produces multiple filter mouthpiece cigarettes. In connection therewith, attention is now called to Figs. 5 to 10, which illustrates the detailscf such cigarettes. In these figures the cigarettes are only illustrated by way of example.

According to Fig. l0,the cigarette 1 is provided with three nlterswnamelvmithafilt r d f crepe P p a filter 13: consisting of paper cuttings, and a ceramiclik fil e fina.

As desCribedin-fthe ioregoing, themagazine 4a supplies the crepe filter 4a, which is united with the cigarettes by a uniting band 6, as shown in Fig. 6. The uniting band ,6.s-extends;a short distance" beyond: the filter 14a in order to unite the .latter securely with the cigarette 1. After these single filter cigarettes have been de .pcs tedpn t e 1, hey a provide .on t is m 7 .-th the pape c tting filter 13a. as .-.sh wn in fi 7 The filter 13a 'is attached to the crepe filter 4a by means of a uniting lband 1,115, ,so .thatafter cutting the assemblage wo ,parts, the t o g re s ow e h ama u la .zpnc 9 on .thcphcumte en e of the unitin band ,orin other avordsthenn itiug .band 15 i does .not extend to the very end. of vthe uniting band 16. iHere- ,upon .the cigarettes having-two filters .are provided .on the drum 18 with a third or a ceramic type filterlllla-wvhich is attached ,tothi paper cutting filter ,13a.,by means of a ,third unitingband L30; .insucha manner .that according to Fig. ,8 therer tmains .ou the. circumference .of .the uniting handmhe previou h.r ent on dezspo e .annula z fi According to Fig. 9, the uniting .band .30 ,for the .ce amic tvm fil e .2l a.i.. .made somewh h r r so a dhfi i -QRPQZUI MB th lcigat tt two p e a nular z n .6 :and 15 2 on .Ithe {circumference .Oftthe uniting bands ,6 an 4,5,, r s n st v ly- Eigl0-1 lllistrat s, by way o ex mp .stillanother embodiment {in Which-none of-the ,uniting bands show an .eztnosed annular'zcne- Ihe .uniting bands ,ng ay also have different colors. For instance, .the .unitinghand .6 ttor the filter body 4:: be red. iwhen nowthetuniting handy-15 forthe-filter .bod y 1 3a .is applied ar ound;the uniting band 6 and .forms the mentioned exposed annular zone 6a, then one avill noticed .na w r d "r ng whi hhe P QS Q a may indicate that-the cigarette, ,as 'shown insFig. 7,, is provided twithradoubleyfilter having certain characteristics. The uniting band 15 for .thespape c tti :fi er 13a rm fu hermo e-distinat elv o red and he exposed lannu ar some .15 s wn in ifiig- 1- m y indica e tha t ei r t i mmv dfld fqr' nst nce, wit a glow re ardin tmcufl pi eeucha a e, the ere-provided two d fie lywec o ed annu a z ne 26 and :1511. Ac ordi g t g. 1-18, the two ut r os tuniting-b nd 15 and 9am 2 Jens in ax a d cctionthat only the annular Zone a -:i vis ble, wh h again by means of another co or zm y -in aat ethatthe cigarette thi ;.a :certain desired characteristic. 'Eherefone, it should :be .apparent that by means g tselecting uniting bands ofivarious widths and various colors it ;is possible itO produce ;on the cigare te cer aintanaul rtzones which give ;-the possibility of indicating to the smoker what characteristics :the filter isa ette ha e For the purpose of assuring that the individual .filter bodi ffQEm :a:1 9dii. fl1=;0rfibutmeu w h a h ot zfil er :bpdies 4a, 113a and 20a may have a difierent circumference or diameter ;as, iorrinstancgtshown in Fig. ,10. The serial arrangement of the filters adjacent to one another may, of :course, he changed and also the diameters of the filters may be clifierent, .as shown in Fig. 1 0.

The-un t n and ar p vided n one si e it a dhesive of go d un ie- In .order .to provide the three winter-t nned cigarettes w a good appearance {th ed es .Q Ithe "ind vidual uniting bands which are closest to the mouth of the user are so arranged that they are placed correctly one over the other.

A substantial advantage of the method of the present invention consists therein that it is possible to produce multiple filter-tipped cigarettes in an economical manner, whereby the filter bodies have the same exterior form as the cigarettes. Accordingly to the invention, there is obtained a high stability of the completed multiple filter-tipped cigarettes which is much superior to the well-known double filtered cigarettes in which a crepe paper filter is arranged behind a cotton plug.

It is well known that a filter-tipped cigarette with a cotton plug and a crepe paper filter has an unstable form caused by the cotton plug and can only be manufactured with difiiculty. Furthermore, filter-tipped cigarettes with cotton plugs have the disadvantage that they bend very easily and break at the point where the cotton plug engages the cigarette rod. All these disadvantages are not present when the cigarettes are being made in accordance with the present invention.

The various filter bodies may be prepared in a number of different manners and may also be provided with certain desired chemical and physical characteristics, and, furthermore, the filter action itself may be selected as desired by employing certain raw materials or the like.

The shape of all the filter bodies may be substantially the same and may correspond to the exterior shape of the tobacco rod. It is also possible, according to the invention to provide the filter plugs, which have the same shape, or approximately the same shape as the cigarette body, with different colors by either coloring the entire circumference or only a portion of the circumference of the filter bodies, or the uniting bands. In this manner, another feature of the invention is obtainednamely, that the particular filter action of each filter body is visibly indicated by the selected color. The smoker, therefore, has the opportunity to recognize from the appearance of the cigarette that he may obtain a cigarette provided with a particular type of a multiple filter in its mouthpiece.

Fig. 11 illustrates a single filter-tipped cigarette which is also manufactured in accordance with the method of the present invention in that one and the same filter body 4a is united with the cigarette 1 by two uniting bands 6 and 15. Both of these uniting bands extend beyond the end face of the cigarette body 1 so that the joint between the cigarette body and the filter body is covered by a double thickness of uniting bands, which has the result that the mouthpiece has increased strength.

What I claim is:

1. Apparatus for the manufacture of filter mouthpiece cigarettes in which each mouthpiece contains a plurality of filters, comprising a plurality of pairs of rotary drums having axially extending grooves on their circumferences for receiving therein axially alined cigarettes and filterbodies and conveying the same successively from one to another of said drums, there being one pair of said drums for each filter body to be contained in the cigarette mouthpiece, cigarette magazine means for the first drum of the first pair of said drums and arranged to deposit a pair of axially alined spaced cigarettes in each groove of said first drum, filter body magazine means for said first drum and arranged to deposit a filter body between the axially alined cigarettes in said first drum, means for applying a uniting band to each cigarette filter assemblage on said first pair of drums, cutting means for cutting each cigarette filter assemblage in two parts, while on the second drum of said first pair of drums, each part containing one filter portion, means for transferring said cigarette filter parts from said first pair of drums to at least one other pair of drums, means for positioning an additional filter body between said cigarette filter parts while on the first drum of said other pair of drums, means for applying another uniting band to each cigarette filter assemblage on said other pair of drums, and cutting means for cutting each cigarette filter assemblage in two parts while on the second drum of said other pair of drums, each part containing at least two filter portions.

2. Apparatus for the manufacture of filter mouthpiece cigarettes as claimed in claim 1, in which said plurality of pairs of rotary drums are arranged in a continuous series so that the second drum of each pair transfers the cigarette assemblages to the first drum of the next following pair of rotary drums, and means cooperating with each following first rotary drum of said pairs of drums for separating the cigarettes transferred to it by the preceding drum by movement lengthwise of the cigarette a distance to permit insertion of a filter body between said separated cigarettes.

3. Apparatus for the manufacture of filter mouthpiece cigarettes as claimed in claim 1, in which said plurality of pairs of rotary drums are arranged in a continuous series so that the second drum of each pair transfers the cigarette assemblages to the first drum of the next following pair of rotary drums, means cooperating with each following first rotary drum for separating the cigarettes transferred to it by the preceding drum by a movement lengthwise of the cigarette a distance to permit insertion of a filter body between said separated cigarettes, and means adjacent the ends of each first rotary drum of said pairs of rotary drums for pushing the cigarettes axially together in engagement with the filter body inserted between the same prior to the application of the uniting bands to said cigarette assemblages.

4. Apparatus for the manufacture of filter mouthpiece cigarettes as claimed in claim 1, including an endless conveyor having transverse cigarette receiving grooves arranged between each second rotary drum of said pairs of drums and the following first drum of the next pair of drums to transfer the cigarette assemblage to the next pair of rotary drums.

5. Apparatus for the manufacture of filter mouthpiece cigarettes as claimed in claim 1, including an endless conveyor with transverse cigarette receiving grooves arranged between each second rotary drum of said pairs of drums and the following first drum of the next pair of drums to transfer the cigarette assemblage to the next pair of rotary drums, and a stationary guide member arranged above said endless conveyor for separating the assemblages on said conveyor by causing the cigarettes in each pair of alined cigarettes to move lengthwise in opposite directions away from each other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

